Torpedo



G. wlsg 2,329,735

TORPEDO Sept. 21, 1943.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jap. 4, 1945 awry@ ATTDRNEY seru 21,1943. G. WISE l 2,329,136

TORPEDO Filed Jan. 4, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR N EY Sept. 2l, 1943. l j G, wlsE 2,329,736

ToRPEDo Y Filed Jan. 4, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATI'CIRNEY Patented Sept. 21, 1943 TORPEDO George lWise, Brooklyn, N. Y. Applcation-January 4, 1943,` Serial No. 471,253

(Gi-antec. under the act of Mai-ch s, 1883, as

,amended April 3o, 192s;l 37o o. G. '157)A 1 Claims.

'I'he invention described herein Vmay be manufactured and used by or for the Goverment of the United States for governmental `purposes without the payment to me of any'royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions .of the act of April 30, 1928 (011.460,45 stat. L. 467.) y

This invention relates to torpedoes, but more particularly to a multiple torpedo so constructed and arranged that two auxiliarytorpedoes may be connected to and launched with a'central carrying torpedo so that,v by suitable time controlled releasing mechanism, the two auxiliaryv torpedoes will be detached from the central carrying torpedo and be self-propelled on their run to the target independently ofthe central carrying torpedo. v

The invention has for its object to increase the striking power of torpedoes and'consequently their damaging eiect, as the ,multiple torpedo may be arranged to lstrike the ltarget at three different points.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the multiple torpedo so that it maybe carried by and launched from the conventional torpedo tube on the decks of torpedo carrying surface vesselsl whereby no change, alteration normodipedo illustrating the embodiment Aparticularly adapted yto be launched from. airplanes;f`

Fig. 8 is a front elevation. of the same;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the multiple torlpedo assembly illustratingthe positions that the component parts assume uponv the release of the auxiliary torpedoes from the `central carrying torpedo;

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic view illustratingtho multiple torpedo assembly showing the-positions that the` component parts assume uponthe re lease of the auxiliary torpedoes from the central carrying torpedo; .i

Fig; 11 is ayverticai longitudinal section through one of the auxiliary torpedoes;

Fig. 12 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the time controlled releasing mechanism employed in the embodiment y shown in Figs` '7 to yl1; andv f iication o1 the conventional torpedo tubes of l such vessels will be required. A

A further object of the invention is to adapt my multiple torpedo to-I be launched from air-` planes in the conventional manner. y

With these objects in view, the invention consists of the combinations and arrangements for connecting the torpedo assembly into a single unit for launching, and the invention also consists of the construction of the auxiliary torpedoes, all of which will be first `fully described and afterwards specifically pointed out in the appended claims. f

Referring to the accompanyingk drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the multiple topredo constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 isa bottom plan view ofi the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of thesame;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the auxiliary torpedoes and a fragmentary view of the time controlled releasing mechanism in the central carrying torpedo;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the said time v controlled releasing mechanism yillustrating the same in position for releasing the two auxiliaryV torpedoes;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one ofthe vertical drectional rudders and its actuating linkf ages; t

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the multiple tor- Fig. 1,3 is a fragmentary sectional View show ing one of the releasing detents yof Fig. l2 in releasing position.

vLike numerals of reference indicate thesame i parts throughout the several figuresV in `Vwhich:

- l. indicates the central carrying torpedo which .is in all respects of the conventionaltype except l,

that it contains therein near the nose thereof a time controlled releasing*` mechanism 2, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, for releasing the twoauxiliary torpedoes 6 as will be hereinafter described. l 1

The central torpedo i has the u sualfs'hell or casing 3, to whichis attached nearits forward end the two extending arms 4 of the twoauxiliary torpedo tubes 5. Each'of vthese tubes 5 is open at its forward endas indicated at l, and have closed rear ends 8, as shown inFig. 4./The auxil-U. lary .torpedoes 6 are inserted in their tubes 5 throughthe open` forward ends'l asfwill be apparentfro'm the drawings. i

y Each auxiliary torpedo has the usual war head of conventional high explosive 9 and also the conventional ringpin ID in its nose by means of which'the War head is ignited by impact as` is usual in conventional torpedoes.

Longitudinally extending through thebody of l t each auxiliary torpedo 6 is' a tubular container Il for the propulsiva rocket powder il,),' which tubular container Il isclosed byy a plate I2 at its rear end.v Extending from the forward end p of the rocket powder container H-'and positioned y igniter I4 of match head material, while a lever I5A pivotedat I1 carries on its after end a match i3 is an ver I slightly extends.

igniting abrasive material I6 arranged in relation to the igniter I4 so that the match igniting abrasive material I6 lwill wipe the match head ignter and ignite the match head material when the forward end of the said pivoted lever I5 is depressed, as will be clearly seen from an inspection of Fig. 4. Formed in each of the arms 4 onthe shell 3 of the central torpedo I, isa bore I8 into which the L-shaped forward end of the le- Also positioned in this bore I6 is a plunger I9 in contact with the said L,shaped end of the lever I5.

Within each of the auxiliary torpedoes compartment 20 for the control apparatus for steering the auxiliary torpedoes. This control apparatus is of the usual conventional type employed in torpedoes and I lay no claim to origit nality thereto. Therefore I have not illustrated the same inthe drawings nor described it herein since theconstruction and operation of the conventional torpedo control apparatus is well decks of surface vessels have their forward open known and understood by `those skilled in the f art."

,Extending rearwardly from the control appa-v ratus compartment 20 lare vtwo links 2|V and 26, by means ofwhich the movements of the control apparatus are communicated Vto the vertical steering rudders 26 and to the horizontal rudders 3|, thelatter being 4shown in Fig. 7.

The said link 2l is connected to a lug 22 on a collar 23 (Fig. 6) slidably mounted on the tubular container II, while links 24 pivoted on the collar V23 are connected to a crank 25 xed toeach rudder post 26 of the vertical directional rudders 26'.

The link 26 extending from the control apparatus connects with a lug 29 on a similar collar 39 also slidably mounted on the tubularcontainer II and by suitable linkages shown in dotted lines and which are the .counterparts of the links 24 vjust described but slightly longer, connect with cranks iixed on the rudder posts o f the two horizontal rudders 3l precisely the same as has Just been described.

Referring now to the time controlled releasing mechanism 2 in the central carrying torpedo I (Fig. 4) vit will be seen that this mechanism includes 'an annular member 32 fixed on a threaded shaft 33 which is longitudinally movable but not rotatable inthe housing 34 of the clock timing .mechanism 36. Mounted on the said threaded shaft 33 is a nut 35 having a toothed periphery in mesh with the clock-work mechanism 36. Thistoothed nut 35 is rotatable on the threaded shaft 33, but is restrained from longitudinal movement, so that upon rotation ofthe nut by the clock-work mechanism the threaded shaft 33 is caused to move longitudinally with respect to the clock-work casing 34. 'f'

on the underside of the casin'gof the centrai torpedo I and in convenient position for manual operation is the time setting dial 31 for the clockwork mechanism 36.V mechanism may be employed and as'such timing Any conventional timing.

ends cut away downwardly and rearwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This cut-away portion permits the use of my multiple torpedo in such conventional torpedo tubes without the necessity of change or modiiication in said tubes, since `thev rprojecting arms 4 by which the two auxiliary torpedoes are connected to the shell of the central carrying torpedo lie in the cut-away portion of the torpedo tubeas shown in Fig. 1.

The two'auxiliary torpedo tubes 5 may have their longitudinal axes parallel with the longitudinal axis of the central carrying torpedo I, or they may preferably have their longitudinal axes divergent from the longitudinal axis of the central carrying torpedo I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that uponrelease of the auxiliary torpedoes 6, as will be presently described, the courses of the two auxiliary torpedoes 6 will diverge from the course of the central carrying torpedo I on their runs to the target as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 10.

-The time controlled release mechanism 2 having been setby the dial 31 (Fig. 4) and the multiple torpedo having been launched from its torpedo tube, it starts its run to the target as indicated by thedotted line in'Fig. 10. After the detorpedoes 6 are released from the central carrying torpedov I, as will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 the clock-work mechanism 36 rotates the toothed nut 35 on the threaded shaft 33 which causes the annular vplunger-engaging member 32 to be moved toward the clock-work casing 34 until the annular plunger engaging flange 40 is moved `entirely o ut of physical contact with the L.shaped ends 39 of the plunge-rs I 9 and into the released position shown in Fig. 5. The two plungers I9 thus being released are each moved by its coil spring 4I so as to actvupon the L-shaped end of the lever I5 causing this lever to rock on its pivot I1 and Wipe the match igniting abrasive material I6 over the match-head igniter I4 on the fuse I3 and` ignite the same. The' fuse l I3 being thus ignited, the column of lrocket powder I I" is caused to ignite at its rear end. This displaces the powder retaining plate I2 and permits the now burningrocket powder to react against the closed rear end' 8 oi? the torpedo tube 5 which ejects the torpedo from its tube at high speed. When mechanisms are common in many arts and their construction and operation are generally well known and understood, the speciiic construction of the same is not of my invention. y

`Referring to the annular member 32 of the releasing mechanism, it will be seen from Fig. 4 that this annular member 32 has an annular flange or projection 49 for engagement with the L-shaped end 39 of the plunger I9, and it will be seen that vthis plunger I9 passes through a bracket 36 and has fixed thereon a collar 42 between which collar and the underside of the the torpedo is clear of its tube, the burning rocket powder reacts against the water and is .thus vpropelled on its run to the target at high speed.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 to 13 which is particularly adapted to be launched from torpedo airplanes, .the two auxiliary torpedoes 6 are each provided with a concave side 53 so as to snugly conform to the cylindrical contour of the' central carrying torpedo I, when the three torpedoes are in assembled position shown in Fig. 8.

To retain the three torpedoes as a unit while being launched from an airplaneand for the initial part of their run to the target, a flexible band 50 having hooked members 5| adjustably secured to the band 50 by adjusting screws 52. encompasses the three torpedoes as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. These hooked end members 5| enter openings 58 in the sides 51 Vof the casing V 54 for the time-controlled releasing mechanismv 55, as shown in Fig. v12. The casing for this mechanism has a concave top to conform tothe cylindrical contour of .the central carrying torpedo i, and is positioned under thecentral carrying torpedo as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Within this casing is lthe time controlled releasing mechanism 55, which is set by a dial-56 on the rear end of the casing (Figs. 7 and 12).

Pivoted at 59 and 60 are tWo detents 6| and 62 each having an upturned hookedy en'd 53 for releasable engagement with the two hooked members 5| of the encompassing bandr50. The 1nner ends of these pvoted detents Bland 62 have short depending arms 64, whileV normally posi- .f

tioned between the two short depending arms 1 is the bar of a T-shaped member |65, by means of which the two plvoted detents -Bi and 62 are maintained in normal horizontal position and in engagement with the two hooked members 5|.

The stem 66 of this T-member'65 is providedwith a toothed rack shown in dotted lines in Fig.

12 which meshes with a pinion of the clock-work mechanism of the time-controlled releasing mechanism also shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12. The internal construction ofthe two auxiliary torpedoes 6 of the embodiment `illustrated in Figs. 'I to 13 is substantially lthe sameas that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, there is only one sleeve 23 Aslidable on the cylindrical container for the rocket -powder Il to vwhich sleeve 23 the link 2| connects for communicating movement of the central apparatus to the horiand the'dial of the time controlled releasing mechanism having been set for the release of the two auxiliary torpedoes from the central carrying torpedo after the elapse of a certain period of time, the assembled torpedoes as shown in- Figs. 7 and 8, start their run toward the target. The clock-work mechanism acting on the'toothed rack of the central T-shaped element 65 gradually y lowers this T-shaped element until it passes out of physical contact with the shortl depending arms 64 of the two pivoted releasing detents 6| and 62. Under the influence of the springs 1n acting` on each of these detents, the hooked ends B3 thereof are moved down into position shown in Fig. 13 and out of engagement with the hooked members 5| of the encompassing band 50 which'` ignites the same.

the pin su` (Fig. 11). which has been heldin depressed position, by the encompassing bandV 50' l and 'against the inuence of its spring. 1.|, is`

raisedby this spring and the 'match ignitin-g abrasivepi thereonlis wiped over .the match' head igniterr i4 on the end of the fuse I il` and vand the burning rocket powderv reacts against i the Water topropel the torpedoat highspeed on its run t`o the target, v y

Having -thus describedthe construction and operation `of the two embodiments of my invention, I do not Wish to limit ymyself tothe exact constructions illustrated in the drawings and described herein, as various Ychanges and-modifications may-be 'made therein which would fall .within thelimi-tand scope of Vthis invention, and

I- consider myself clearly entitled yto all such I changesl andmodiflcations as come within the limit Vand scope of they appendedk claims,` Iclaim': f i f Q 1. In a multiple torpedo,.,the,combination with a torpedo of conventional design' andfcon'struction forming a`central carrying torpedo, of a pair of auxiliary torpedo tubes 4attached to the A outside of the central carrying torpedo, the said auxiliary torpedo tubes having their longitudinal axes divergent fromthe longitudinal axis of the central carrying torpedo inA a horizontal plane, an

auxiliary torpedoin each of the auxiliary tubes, the positionof attachment ofv the'vauxiliary tor- -pedo tubes to the .Central carrying torpedo being close to the nose of the central 'carrying torpedo so as to adapt the assembly to conventional` torpedo tubes for launching therefrom as a unit, eachv auxiliary torpedo including a war head and :tiring pin for detonating the war' head upon impact of the torpedo,`and including self-contained means for its propulsion independent of the centray carrying torpedo, said propulsion means for the auxiliary torpedoes being normally inactive Y 'within the-auxiliary torpedo tubes, and meansfor puttingv the self-contained propelling means of the auxiliary torpedoes in operation for simultaneously launching them from the auxiliary torpedo tubes and releasing them from the .central 'carrying torpedo so that they .each may be self propelled on divergent paths to a target. I

2. In a multiple torpedo, the combination with a torpedo of conventional design and construction'forming a central carrying torpedo, of a plurality of auxiliary torpedo tubes xed to the outfside of the central carrying torpedo, an auxiliary torpedo in each of the auxiliary tubes, 'the position of attachment oi.' the auxiliary torpedo tubes to the central carrying torpedo being close to the A nose of the central carrying torpedo so as to adapt the assembly to conventional torpedo tubes for launching therefrom as a, unit, each auxiliary torpedo including a war head and firing pi ,to

detonating the war. head upon impact of tl'1'`torpedo, and including self-contained means for its propulsion. independent of the central carrying ,torpedo, said propulsion means for the auxiliary releases said band, By reason of its resiliency this band assumesthe position shownvin Fig. 9. y

The two auxiliary torpedoes are therefore' released from the central carrying torpedo land the time-controlled releasing mechanism falls away from the central carrying topedo in the manner as shown in Fig. 9. At the same time,

torpedoes being normallyl inactive/within thev auxiliary torpedo tubes-and Ameans for putting the self-contained pr'opelling'means of each of` the auxiliary torpedoes in operation for'laun'ch- K ing them from the auxiliary torpedo tubes-and f releasing themfrom the central carrying torpedo so. that each of them may be self propelled to target.

l3. In a multiple torpedo, the combination with By means of the fuse i3, the vrear end of the column of rocket powder is ignited; the plate at the'rearthereof is displaced 4 I a torpedo ofconventional design and construction forming a central carrying torpedo, of a pair of auxiliary torpedoes, each having its exthe torpedo, and including self-contained means g for its propulsion independentI ofthe central carrying torpedo, Vsaid propulsion means for they auxiliary torpedoes being inactive as long as the assembled torpedoes are connected .together as a unit, and means'for releasing the said encompassing band for disconnecting the auxiliary torpedoes from the central carrying torpedo and for putting the self-contained propelling means of same upon impact of the torpedo and including self-contained means for its propulsion independent Vof the central carrying torpedo, said propulsion means for the auxiliary torpedoes being inactive as long `as the assembled torpedoes are connected together as a unit, and means for releasing the said encompassing band for disconnecting the auxiliary torpedoes from the central carrying torpedo and for putting the selfcontained propelling means of each auxiliary tropedo in operation to propel Athe auxiliary torpedoes to a target independently of the central carrying torpedo.

5. In a multiple torpedo, the combination with a torpedo of conventional design and construction forming a central carrying torpedo, of a plurality of auxiliary torpedoes, means for connecting the central carrying torpedo and the auxiliary torpedoes together for launching as a unit, each auxiliary torpedo including a war head and means for detonating the same upon impact of the torpedo, and including self-contained each auxiliary torpedo in operation to propel the auxiliary torpedoes to the target independently ofthe central carrying torpedo. r i

- 4. In a multiple torpedo, the combination with a torpedo of conventional design and construction forming a central carrying torpedo, of a plurality of auxiliary torpedoes, a band encompassing the central carrying torpedov and the auxiliary torpedoes to connect them together for launching as a unit, each auxiliary torpedo including a war head and means for detonating the means for its propulsion independent of the central carrying torpedo, said propulsion means for the auxiliary torpedoes being inactive as long as the assembled torpedoes are connected together as a unit, and means for eiecting disconnection of the auxiliarytorpedoes from the central carrying torpedo and for putting the selfcontained propelling means'of each auxiliary torpedo in operation to propel the auxiliary torpedoes to a target independently of the central carrying torpedo.`

GEORGE WISE. 

